As part of a sustainable production road-map
toward positioning cashew crop as an agriculture goldmine, government is expected
to unveil ‘Cashew Development Policy’ next month to outline measures that will promote
the production, sale and processing of the cash crop in the country.
The Cashew Development Policy, will
indicate government's commitment to
extending financial, distribution, material and technical support toward the production, sale
and processing of cashew nuts and will raise the country’s competitiveness in the
non-traditional export commodities market. This will help improve livelihoods
of rural farmers nationwide.
Speaking
at the second encounter with the media at the Flagstaff House in Accra, President
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said: “There is a lot of money involved, for
producers, marketers distributors and also those who will be engaged in the
processing of the crop.
“I
believe that, I am due to go to Wenchi in the Brong Ahafo Region, on the 24th
of February to launch the Cashew Development Plan that we are proposing for the
industry and for the country.
In that plan when it is unveiled it will help issues
of infrastructure, the nature of government support for the industry will all be
put on the table.”
He added: “It is important that when you look to our
next door to us, Cote d’Ivoire, is making huge sums of money from this industry
and we are as capable as them of developing this industry, a full scale
development plan is in the offing and very soon the plan will be out doored for
us in the country to see. We will see fully what is being proposed.
According to available statistics, the country produces between 50,000 to 70, 0000mt of raw cashew nuts annually.
In spite of
the unduly lower share of investment in the country’s cashew production sector
from government, the sector still holds much potential as it is seen to be one
of the most promising economic boosters -- capable of generating between US$400
and US$500million revenue for the country and improving livelihoods of many
rural women farmers.
Undoubtedly, cashew production and the entire value chain is seen as a viable and profitable business venture, with industry players describing it as an agriculture goldmine if well-harnessed.
With this development, the country cannot afford not to take advantage of the huge opportunity that exists within the cashew sector and its value chain.
The sector currently has 12 processing factories within the country with a processing capacity of 60,000metric tonnes (mt), while the country produces approximately 70,000mt of raw cashew nuts (RCN).
This deficit, among other challenges, stakeholders say calls for an effective dialogue between government and agencies responsible for implementing policies that will help promote the sector.
Cashew production in the country is mostly carried out by smallholder framers (90%).
The past nine years’ experienced a growing interest in cultivation of the nuts, due largely to high demand and flourishing export markets. Approximately 75,000 farmers in the country are engaged in cashew cultivation, with most farmers located in the Brong Ahafo, Northern, Ashanti and Volta Regions.
Undoubtedly, cashew production and the entire value chain is seen as a viable and profitable business venture, with industry players describing it as an agriculture goldmine if well-harnessed.
With this development, the country cannot afford not to take advantage of the huge opportunity that exists within the cashew sector and its value chain.
The sector currently has 12 processing factories within the country with a processing capacity of 60,000metric tonnes (mt), while the country produces approximately 70,000mt of raw cashew nuts (RCN).
This deficit, among other challenges, stakeholders say calls for an effective dialogue between government and agencies responsible for implementing policies that will help promote the sector.
Cashew production in the country is mostly carried out by smallholder framers (90%).
The past nine years’ experienced a growing interest in cultivation of the nuts, due largely to high demand and flourishing export markets. Approximately 75,000 farmers in the country are engaged in cashew cultivation, with most farmers located in the Brong Ahafo, Northern, Ashanti and Volta Regions.
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